Suarez charged over 'bite' incident

Friday, 27 June 2014 - 9:44

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Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been banned for nine matches after being found guilty of biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup match on Tuesday (24), that knocked the Italians out of the tournament.

The incident happened deep into the second half of the final Group D match, when TV images showed Suárez making a lunge for Mr. Chiellini's shoulder. The two fell to the ground close to the Italian goal, with Mr. Chiellini holding his shoulder and Suárez holding his mouth.

Suarez was also suspended from any football-related activity for four months and fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,000).

After Tuesday's match, the striker sought to brush off the incident with Mr. Chiellini. Uruguayan team officials blamed the media for blowing the incident out of proportion.

The ban means Suarez will not play in Uruguay's game on Saturday.

Fifa spokeswoman Delia Fischer made the announcement at a news briefing in Rio de Janeiro.